Hope for the future of genetic counseling

Hope Wollen remembers the way her Aunt Bonny’s smile always lit up a room.

“She was just so bright and fun,” said Wollen, who is a graduate student in the University of Arizona College of Health Science’s genetic counseling graduate program. “She was the biggest ball of energy. She had such a glow, and I loved being around her.”

Wollen was inspired by her aunt’s zest for life, but her time with her aunt was cut short when, in 2020, Bonny Hodgson died due to complications from breast cancer. Now, Wollen envisions helping others like her aunt navigate what can be a complicated web of health care options that come with a cancer diagnosis, including genetic testing. 

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Genetic testing is becoming more common, but many patients are either not aware of it or are not sure where or how to begin the process. Others may have privacy concerns regarding the use of their DNA. As a genetic counselor, Wollen wants to help answer the questions and ease concerns for those who could benefit from genetic testing. 

The growing genetic counseling frontier

Genetic counselors are health care professionals who help people of all ages understand how genetics and genetic testing can impact their lives. Together with patients, genetic counselors discuss the specific disease or condition and any applicable family history, as well as potential results and what those results mean for the patient and their family.

Genetic counselors can also help health professionals such as doctors and nurses make informed decisions about medical care, including screenings, surgeries, and medications.

There are 5,629 genetic counselors in the United States, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors. The field is expected to grow 18% from 2021 to 2031 as demand for providers grows, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2024 National Society of Genetic Professional Status Survey found that there are only 30 certified genetic counselors working in Arizona. According to a workforce supply and demand study conducted by Dobson DaVanzo & Associations, LLC, Arizona should have 97 genetic counselors working in direct patient care.

The College of Health Sciences’ Genetic Counseling Graduate Program is training students, including Wollen, for these future roles. Chris Stallman, MLS, MS, director of the genetic counseling graduate program, is preparing Wollen and other students to work in settings that range from traditional health care organizations to commercial laboratories in specialty areas such as adult genetics, pediatrics, oncology, obstetrics, cardiology, public health and pharmacogenomics. 

When Wollen decided she wanted to become a genetic counselor, she looked online for genetic counseling programs in North America, and liked what she saw at the U of A. When she was accepted, she made the move without ever having visited Tucson. 

“I really valued the educational experience that U of A offers, and I applied there, said Wollen, who started in the program in August 2023. “It’s been a good fit. I really like Tucson, from the food, to the nature, to the culture, I have fallen in love with this town.”

As part of her graduate studies, Wollen attends typical classroom lectures and gets hands-on experience with patients at Arizona hospitals, including Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic. 

“I think one of the most rewarding parts of my clinical rotations have been connecting with patients and providing education to help patients make informed decisions,” Wollen said, explaining that part of her job was to deliver sometimes complicated genetic health information to patients and their families. “There have been a few times where patients are scared because they don’t know what testing will reveal. I have the pleasure of delivering accurate information that allows them to take control of their health care.”

Becoming an ambassador

Outside of her official coursework, Wollen was selected to be one of 22 Expecting Health Newborn Screening Student Ambassadors for Expecting Health, a national nonprofit that shares science-based and policy-informed information that reflects the lived experiences of people and their families. The Student Ambassador program mirrors the Navigate Newborn Screening Ambassador program, where family leaders are trained to connect families, build leadership and advocacy skills, and serve as leaders in the newborn screening system.

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Newborn screening is performed between 24 and 48 hours after a baby is born and include a blood test, hearing screen and heart screen.

Wollen attended weekly online seminars and group discussions about topics including working in policy and federal government, the role of genetic counselors in public health, and newborn screening and family engagement. In smaller breakout groups, the ambassadors discussed their takeaways and ways they could incorporate what they learned into their practices.

“The ambassadorship allowed me to explore the role of a genetic counselor in public health, gain a better understanding of the complexities of newborn screening at the federal and state levels, and became familiar with health care provider and family resources,” said Wollen, who shared her experiences with her fellow genetic counseling students at the College of Health Sciences.

As part of the ambassadorship, Wollen developed a newborn screening research project in which she analyzed the costs and practices of newborn screening that genetic counselors conduct in the state and presented her findings to other ambassadors.

She also created factsheets on newborn screening for parents and providers, which coincided with her master’s degree capstone project, “Newborn Screening Factsheets in Arizona.” 

“It was really valuable for me,” Wollen said of the ambassadorship. “It was a way to see different perspectives from patient advocates and the science behind how newborn screening is run. It can be easy to forget the people behind the statistics, but being able to chat and hear stories from others was incredibly helpful.”

Wollen is also taking part in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities, or ArizonaLEND, through the College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Pediatrics. The leadership training program prepares the next generation of policy makers, faculty, clinicians and researchers to lead the maternal and child health workforce.

Moving forward

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With her May 2025 graduation date quickly approaching, Wollen is focused on completing her capstone project and finishing her degree. Graduates are eligible to take the examination in genetic counseling offered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and she is eager to start her career.

She is considering working in either prenatal or oncology genetic counseling specialties. 

“I think it’s a great opportunity to be there for people who need help during what could be a chaotic time,” Wollen said. “I’ve loved my time in the program here and I really want to give back.”

Stallman, in addition to leading the degree program, served as Wollen’s faculty mentor. They believe Wollen is well-equipped to become a genetic counselor, not only because of the skills she has gained but also because of her personality and temperament.

“She is just very upbeat, no matter what the circumstances are, and it comes through as a sincere emotion,” Stallman said. “It doesn’t feel fake or forced. She is just genuinely happy and positive about things. That’s what I first noticed about her. And it’s funny, when you learn her name. The unending optimism.”

“I love that the science has advanced so quickly, and it’s going to keep advancing,” said Wollen, who describes herself a lifelong learner. “Genetic counseling is a very patient-facing career, and you’re really helping patients to make informed decisions. It’s very rewarding to see patients becoming advocates for themselves, based on the information you’ve given them.”